The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-09
INNOCENTS ABROAD.
30. H" GOES TO THE EXPOSITION.
fEe Buys Out n Hotel or TwO-..Gcts
Vet---The Police Help Move Him
Out Of Ellis Room The Polite
Clerk "AiftS'' Elim--.and He Is
DiSnUStItI


Clerk "Aifts'' EIim---and He Is
DiSGusied.
| Erlitor Press and Banner:
SIE-l desire TO express few words in your
popular journal. spent three days in the
Gate City during the mammoth Exposition
that has recently made record on the scroll
Of the Past. The exhibits OF every species
were superbly grand and magnificent. The
huge enterprise certainly merits volumes of
eulogy and reflects much credit upon the
originatOrs The unpreccdentedly immense
throng of humanity that witnessed it will
means, a "one.horse affair."" 1t will be a
mor umcnt for thought. ever and anon to re-
vert to, for many days to come. Peradven-
ture, good will accrue from 1t In the way Of
creating stimulus to emulation in every
branch of industry.
Also, the scribe hesitatcs not to assert, it
is not exempt from from iault-finding, and is
entitled TO large share OF dlsapprObation.
1t certainly was fruitful of much evil-d0ing
\ stigma Of reproach was visibly impressed
upon Atlanta's supreme efforts TO establish
greatness. am partial TO the opinion the
evil prepondcratcs the good in such like os-
tcntalious displays. The many ways that,
apparently, are tolerated in the shape Of gam
bling, to tempt many poor fellow. to lose
his laborious earnings, are obnoxious fea-
lures. The races afford an inviting tendency
to rccll lcssncss and adventure In being made
mOneylcSs. The repeated assurances Of the
that eXtortion and imposition would be un-
der complete subjcction, were not fully en-
jOyed. The numerous restaurants OF drink
ables and eddiblcs on "the grounds" were not
averSe to apprcciating the advantage of the
hungry condition of the visitors for the sake
of filthy lucre." For example nickel for
an egg, ten cents for a sandwich or a slice OF
cheese that would lodge very nicely Oh the
dOrSal proportions OF an animalcule. POta-
tions or disguised cpithets commanded an
eXtorlionalc outlay OF ''sponduicks." Pro-
hibitlon, seemingly, was not on duty, enjoy
ing moose for the time being. Hotel
keepers readily took in the situation, and
rcaped q harvest Of eXtorton unparalleled
In the annals of history. Lodging was at q
premium OF over IL hundred per cent. above
par.
Perhaps the appointed vigilant committee
resoricd to every available means to operate
against imposition, bnt, in my observation
and experience, failed prodigiously. The
mcrcileSs hand of eXtortion wrestcd many q
hard-carned dollar from number OF persons.
1t especially exercised an unlimited sway
amongst hotel dignilaries. Give the devil
acted Sll for a man and wife for one night.
Many instances could bc cited. Suffice the
relation of my individual case, based upon
indiSputable facts. l cannot well resist to
weak 1t may appear. My partner In life was
III my charge. Undergoing little trouble
secured quarters at the ST. Georges Hotel.
IL was very undesirable. -Four flights OF stair
way intervened Drn.a terra ere reaching its
lofty attitude. And the close proximity of a
very offensive "sink" augmented It's undcsir-
i" nG sa b dsssr the ony s". merit
bedroom, with an extra cot wedged in. The
clerk demanded extra charge for the cot, Sl.25
per day, which paid. He gave me no ticket.
Early next morning, we were off 10 the cX-
position. retained the key and left our
baggage in the room, and entertained not The
iedS apprehension OF holding the position at
the first stipulated rates. On our return,
Il ,t,,t
street ears. There appeared TO be IL promis.
cuorlS stampede OF the conglOmeratiOn OF hu-
manity, seeking refuge from the meeting
clouds. Through mud and drenchng rain
minus OF any extra weather protector, we
wendcd our way, thoroughly bespattered and
saturated and much fatiSucd ere reaching our
elevated temporary abode. The nocturnal
shades were appearing. We were in dlem-
ma. No change OF apparel get-at-able.
managed to secure coal fire and our drip.
ping clothing were subjected to slow dry
process. In the meantime, our room was dc.
manded by another party. / resisted the ,ap.
plicatiOn Oh the ground Of priority. l hal
not surrendered it, and had possession also
OH the ground that under the circumstances
vcnturcd out and be exposed to the inclem-
ency of the weather. Repeated demands
were urged for capitulation, and police ejec-
tion was mcnaced. l held the fort" unter-
riticd. TO adjust the matter, however, l was
pilotcd to the Kimball House where the
clerk. whose duty IL was to assign rooms, was
located lie asked if / would give Sl.50 for the
night Mr.. Editor, how Will that do for en-
torlion! Demurring q little, and conscience
gorlng him, he finally reduced 1t to $500. !
reluctantly. yielded, with the proviso, re-
ccipt would be given, and promised the
public should be notified of the imposition.
| am in possession of the receipt to coroborate
this statement, signed "Vandalia Co., by a.
Collins This young man, sub.clerk acting
for the Company, appeared to be courteous,
gentee and honorable. The former, CLERK
DrDDoro conscience scared nature
seemed to have denied him of any OF the
milk Of human Kindness" or 1t had leaked
out Of his cardiac region. subsequently, /
learned that the st. Georges Hotel was leased
for the two weeks by the Vandala Company
that runs, | suppose, the noted Kimball
House. That Information was sufficient to
reveal the fact, that the 'greed of gain" un-
der any consideration, was the ruling desire.
Combination, Syndicates, and monopoly of
all classes rank foremost among the curses
that afllict people. Legislation to wipe out
such plaques would institute a safeg uard to
protect prosperity. Mr.. Hightower, who
runs the eating department Of the said hotel,
is worthy OF the appellation-quite a gentle
ing attention was eleeant-his daughters
serving in that capacity, Good fare, In
abundance, was furnished at his usual price
--twenty-hvc cents u meal. He was oyerrun
tleman remarked: "Thc Company treated
you badly" Under such pressure Of custom
his heart remained pulsating with unadul ter.
atcd impulses. No cXtortion was practiced
apparent between the landlord proper and
householder. The sign board is legibly
marked: "Twcnty-FiYc Cents for Lodging"
Further comment Is unnecessary. The
made by the Constitution that cXtortton would
not be inflicted upon the people during the
Exposition we're not carried out to the letter
by jug full o. +. IL.